California: money rules on one page
The benefits, renting, unemployment and cost of living answers PayByTown has checked for California, each with the rule people ask about most and the official source it comes from. Open a topic for the details and the calculator. Last checked .
Benefits
All of benefits- SNAP income limitsGross income limit200% of the federal poverty lineSource: California Department of Social Services: CalFresh, checked
- Medicaid & CHIP income limitsMedicaidExpanded: adults up to 138% of povertySource: California Department of Health Care Services, checked
Renting
All of renting- Security depositsDeposit back within21 days after move-outSource: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, checked
- Breaking a leaseTenant notice (month-to-month)30 daysSource: Cal. Civ. Code § 1946, checked
- Eviction noticesUnpaid rent notice3 business days (pay or move out)Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide - Types of eviction notices, checked
- RepairsTime to repair30 days (presumed reasonable)Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940–1954 (Hiring of Real Property), California Legislative Information, checked
- Rent increasesNotice before a rent increase30–90 daysSource: Civ. Code § 827, checked
Unemployment
All of unemployment- Unemployment benefitsWeekly benefit$40–$450, up to 26 weeksSource: EDD, Unemployment Eligibility Requirements, checked
- Job-loss checklistSource: EDD, Unemployment Eligibility Requirements, checked
Cost of living
All of cost of living- Childcare costsCounties with prices58Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) 2008-2022, county-level data file (NDCP2022.xlsx), checked
Each rule is published only after it passes our two-of-three source check. This page summarizes; the topic pages have the full rule, exceptions and every citation. General information, not legal or tax advice.